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10 Gators named to the Athlon Sports preseason All-SEC teams

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi07/01/25ZachAbolverdi
Florida-Gators-Eugene-Wilson-Jake-Slaughter
Florida Gators offensive lineman Jake Slaughter (66) holds up Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) after a touchdown during the second half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 7, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators placed on a total of 10 players on the preseason All-SEC teams from Athlon Sports, led by first-team selection Jake Slaughter. UF’s starting center was also named a preseason first-team All-American by Athlon Sports, along with Walter Camp.

Athlon Sports included five Gators on its preseason All-SEC second team: offensive tackle Austin Barber, running back Jadan Baugh, defensive lineman Caleb Banks, EDGE rusher Tyreak Sapp and wide receiver Eugene Wilson III. Linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard made the preseason All-SEC third team.

Florida starting quarterback DJ Lagway received All-SEC fourth team honors behind Texas QB Arch Manning (first), LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier (second) and South Carolina LaNorris Sellers (third). UF defensive backs Devin Moore and Byrce Thornton also made the All-SEC fourth team.

Athlon Sports ranked the Gators No. 11 nationally in its preseason magazine and picked them to finish fifth in the SEC behind Texas, Georgia, LSU and Alabama. Here’s what the publication wrote about Florida heading into the 2025 season:

“The Gators have momentum after ending 2024 on a four-game winning streak. The late surge helped ease the pressure on head coach Billy Napier, especially with quarterback DJ Lagway’s emergence into superstar status. However, the Gators will be holding their breath all offseason after Lagway was limited in spring practice due to a shoulder injury. Center Jake Slaughter is back to anchor one of the SEC’s top lines, and Lagway has plenty of support at the skill spots. After a slow start, Florida’s defense improved late in the year and held its last four opponents to 13 points per contest. The Gators could play seven preseason Top 25 teams on a daunting schedule. Lagway’s recovery and development will shape just how successful the ’25 season will be.”

RELATED: What 2025 preseason magazines are saying about Florida Gators

Florida’s Preseason Athlon Sports All-SEC 

NameHonor
Jake SlaughterFirst Team
Austin BarberSecond Team
Jadan BaughSecond Team
Eugene Wilson IIISecond Team
Caleb Banks Second Team
Tyreak SappSecond Team
Grayson HowardThird Team 
DJ LagwayFourth Team
Devin MooreFourth Team
Bryce ThorntonFourth Team

Florida’s Preseason All-American Honors 

NamePublication
Jake SlaughterAthlon Sports (First Team), Walter Camp (First Team), Phil Steele (Second Team)
Rocco UnderwoodPhil Steele (First Team)
Caleb BanksPhil Steele (Third Team)
Tyreak Sapp Athlon Sports (Third Team) 
Eugene Wilson IIIAthlon Sports (Fourth Team) Phil Steele (Fourth Team)

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